Jamie Oliver’s enduring war on sugary snacks reached new heights today as he vowed to oust the Tories from office if they fail to address the widespread problem of childhood obesity.
The celebrity chef pledged to step-up his campaign to banish ministers from parliament if their proposals to counteract childhood obesity do not live up to expectations.
The government is due to publish its child obesity strategy later this month and it has been reported the prime minister remains unconvinced a sugar tax would solve the nation’s problems.
At the heart of the obesity epidemic is the issue of how we influence our children’s eating habits.
According to a recent survey by Cancer Research UK, 74% of people would back a ban on junk food adverts before 9pm.
With that in mind, we took to the streets of Wimbledon to see what other people think.
Should junk food adverts be shown after the watershed?
YES NO
40% 60%
Jana Camebernaja, 35, an au pair from Walton-On-Thames, agrees although remains slightly pessimistic of the idea.
She said: “Yes, but I think we need to teach our children how to make responsible choices, although there is a middle ground.”
Martin Taggart, 44, a financial director from Glasgow, doesn’t agree the watershed for junk food advertisements would have a profound effect.
He said: “No, we must teach our children to be responsible for their own decisions.”
MARTIN TAGGART: Believes children should make their own choices
Julie Randall, 72, a retired teacher from Wimbledon, said: “No, absolutely not. Do you really think that will have any effect?”
Anna Psarros, 34, a full-time mother from Raynes Park, thinks the idea of a watershed for junk food advertisements would be a good thing.
She said: “Absolutely, children are so impressionable so of course that would have an impact as to what they eat.”
Stephen Ifewu, 34, a project development manager from Brixton, said: “No. I don’t think it would have any lasting effect because children are too easily influenced by their friends.”
Sheila Melland, 68, a retired council worker from Wimbledon said: “No, I think children are far too easily influenced by social media these days compared to television, plus it’s up to what their parents choose to feed them.”
SHEILA MELLAND: Believes social media has a bigger role to play than TV
Zeynap Unlu, 38, a finance officer from Istanbul working and living Wimbledon, said: “Absolutely, I would go so far as to add the banning of violent video game adverts before the watershed as well.”
Dennis Grinsted, 75, of Wimbledon, disagrees with the idea.
He said: “Kids will be kids and eat whatever they want, I know I used to. I don’t think this idea would have any impact whatsoever.”
DENNIS GRINSTED: Thinks kids will be kids
Joanna Drezek, 38, a coffee shop manager from Poland living in Wimbledon said: “No, I don’t think it’s a good idea because parents often give their children pocket money which they will waste on things like sweets and cakes.”
Flavia Fraser-Cannon, 32, a freelance theatre producer from Waterloo, said: “Yes, I’m fully behind this idea and the Jamie Oliver movement.
“I’m a big fan and I think we should absolutely limit to what we show children on television, particularly with things like this.”
FLAVIA FRASER-CANNON: Fully supports the idea
Image courtesy of ebruli, with thanks
